Letter to the 113th US Congress: Ratify CEDAW

NEW YORK (January 4, 2013)– Yesterday, the below letter, signed by WEDO and over 100 organizations, along with several petitions calling on the US Senate to ratify CEDAW -the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women–in the 113th Congress, were successfully delivered yesterday to all members of the Senate, with the help of a passionate and enthusiastic group of advocates wearing “Ratify CEDAW” stickers. Click here to download the full letter with signatories.

Find out more about efforts to Ratify CEDAW and take the CEDAW pledge!

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January 3, 2013

To the Honorable Members of the United States Senate:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we write to urge you to make ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) a priority for the United States Senate in the 113th session of Congress.

The record breaking number of women who will serve in the 113th Congress lends significant momentum for the United States to increase its global leadership role on women’s rights issues. Twenty female Senators will either return to or take office in the Senate—a truly historic accomplishment.

CEDAW is a landmark international agreement that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world. It is a practical blueprint for each country to achieve progress for women and girls.

CEDAW is already making a difference for women and girls worldwide, specifically by strengthening civil society’s efforts to persuade governments to respect women’s human rights and adopt policies to reduce sex trafficking and domestic violence, provide access to education and vocational training, ensure the right to vote, end forced and child marriages, secure inheritance rights, and ensure the right to work and own a business without discrimination.

Ratification of CEDAW would strengthen the United States’ standing as a global leader in standing up for women and girls. To date, the United States is one of only seven countries that have not yet ratified CEDAW. It is essential that the U.S. ratify CEDAW and continue to play a leadership role in advancing women’s and girls’ rights globally.

The signatories of this letter call on the U.S. Senate to advance women’s human rights, not just for women in the United States but for all women worldwide, by ratifying this convention now.